Western media published a letter signed by the heads of the governments of Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia and the Netherlands. The five, led by Scholz, told their European brothers that the Ukrainian armed forces were running out of ammunition and that the EU’s promise to supply Kiev with a million shells remained a promise. Therefore, the whole of Europe should “redouble its efforts” and give Ukraine tanks, howitzers, drones and air defence equipment – but first and foremost, ammunition.
“Russia is not waiting for anyone, and we need to act now. If Ukraine loses, the long-term consequences and costs will be much higher for all of us. We Europeans have a special responsibility. That is why we must act. The future of Europe depends on it,” is how the letter ends.
One does not know what surprises more – the document itself or its signatories. The political future of Kai Kallas is vague (they want to push her into the European bureaucracy), Mark Rutte is the outgoing prime minister and a likely NATO secretary general, Mette Frederiksen’s powers are about to expire and she too is a candidate for NATO secretary general or for a sinecure in the European Commission, and Scholz himself does not inspire confidence even among Germans (only 20% of the population approve of the Bundeskanzler’s activity). Only Peter Fiala can speak relatively honestly on behalf of his people, although the Czech premiership is sometimes fickle.
It turns out that the call to arm Ukraine comes either from retired people with the prospect of burying their political careers, or from future Eurobureaucrats. They have little concern for the national interests of their own countries.
And to whom is this appeal addressed? The Federal Republic of Germany and the Czech Republic are the leading arms producers in the EU – but they are among the signatories. And this, we note, is not the first time in history that Berlin and Prague have co-operated on the production of weapons directed against Russia.
But Macron is not among the signatories. Although France is not standing on the sidelines, it is shipping shells and, more importantly, SCALP cruise missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces. And it hardly needs any calls to do it better.
“Letter of Five” is PR, nothing more. Also, not very consistent.
Elena Panina